[Samba] software deployment

[Denis Cardon]

Hi Ryan,

> Both opsi and wapt look interesting. What deficiencies did you find in
> opsi that lead you develop wapt?

Before starting wapt developement, Opsi was actually the best solution 
we found and actually was the one we used. Opsi also use the many of the 
paradigms of apt-get (http repositories, package, signature, etc.).

The main downside of opsi, to my mind, is the language WINST for package 
developement which is Opsi specific and has a steep learning curve. In 
wapt we use plain python, which has plenty of documentation and API 
available.

The consequence of WINST to my mind is slower packaging, and fast 
packaging was the main objective when we started this project. On the 
downside, WAPT is currently less featureful than Opsi, but we are 
actively working on making it better everydays.

> Using Google Translate, I looked at the wapt site but didn't see a way
> to deploy a package to a group of machines. I'm guessing this is
> possible, more python?

Wapt started as a apt-get for windows which meant command line and all 
:-). Now you can install a server with inventory and central management.

The windows server installation is quite straight forward (we have 
worked hard to make it easy) and you shouldn't be stuck on any barrier 
of entry except the French language. The linux server version actually 
precedes the windows one (and has my preference), but we spend less time 
polishing the setup. You can give it a try and if you need help don't 
hesitate to ask on the mailing list 
(http://lists.tranquil.it/listinfo/wapt), I'll be glad to answer.

Cheers,

Denis

>
> On Thu, Sep 25, 2014 at 2:12 PM, Denis Cardon
> <denis.cardon at tranquil-it-systems.fr
> <mailto:denis.cardon at tranquil-it-systems.fr>> wrote:
>
>     Hi Mourik,
>
>
>         Just wondering: What are you guys using to deploy software on your
>         windows (7) workstations within the samba4 AD?
>
>         These are options I know of:
>
>         * wpkg (but it seems it's development is not too active)
>         * wpkg-gp using the group policies
>         * www.opsi.org <http://www.opsi.org> (Client Management System
>         for Windows clients)
>         * standard windows software deployment, but I think that's msi-only
>
>
>     I have used/tested all the above (and many others) in the past and
>     finaly I ended up re-developping an apt-get equivalent for handling
>     software deployment on windows (yes I know the NIH syndrom :-). The
>     result is Wapt-get (http://dev.tranquil.it/wiki/__Wapt
>     <http://dev.tranquil.it/wiki/Wapt> , warning French only) licenced
>     with gplv3.
>
>     If you are familiar with .deb packaging, you should feel at home.
>     Wapt-get is based on:
>
>     * an http repository with Packages index
>     * an agent installed on workstation with your certificate for
>     package validation and installation
>     * a package is a plain zip file (simpler than an "ar" of tarxz) with
>     signature (apk style) that is checked before installation, a control
>     file with package name, version and dependencies, and a setup.py
>     file that is executed during installation.
>     * a standard language (python) is used to script a setup.py file how
>     the package is installed (ie. you won't have to learn an extra
>     cryptic xml based scripting language :-). The shortest setup.py file
>     is :
>
>     def install():
>          run("firefox-setup.exe /s")
>
>     I use it currently on about 5000+ workstation and it scales properly
>     (my largest single install is about 1000 workstations on a single
>     wapt server VM).
>
>     If you are eager to test it, I would advise you to start with the
>     windows based wapt server which is easier to install, and then go
>     with the linux server which scales better. Your feedback is welcome!
>     If there is enough interest I'll translate the whole stuff in
>     English earlier, it is on the roadmap.
>
>     Hope this helps.
>
>     Denis
>
>
>
>         This page also has al lot interesting reading:
>         http://www.klaus-hartnegg.de/__gpo/
>         <http://www.klaus-hartnegg.de/gpo/>
>
>         However, I'm looking for some praktical tips or experiences.
>         What are
>         you using, do you like it? Would you recommend it?
>
>         The samba wiki also has a page on this subject:
>         https://wiki.samba.org/index.__php/Software_deployment_on___Samba <https://wiki.samba.org/index.php/Software_deployment_on_Samba>
>         but it only talks about wpkg, and history tells me it dates from
>         2006....
>
>         I could perhaps update that page with the outcome of this thread.
>
>         Thanks in advance,
>         Mourik Jan
>
>
>
>     --
>     Denis Cardon
>     Tranquil IT Systems
>     Les Espaces Jules Verne, bâtiment A
>     12 avenue Jules Verne
>     44230 Saint Sébastien sur Loire
>     tel : +33 (0) 2.40.97.57.55 <tel:%2B33%20%280%29%202.40.97.57.55>
>     http://www.tranquil-it-__systems.fr <http://www.tranquil-it-systems.fr>
>
>
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>


-- 
Denis Cardon
Tranquil IT Systems
Les Espaces Jules Verne, bâtiment A
12 avenue Jules Verne
44230 Saint Sébastien sur Loire
tel : +33 (0) 2.40.97.57.55
http://www.tranquil-it-systems.fr